“Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.” Psalm 100:3 (NKJV)
Welcome to the 31st Weekly Devotional Recap of the Year. This week, we discussed bearing fruits, that we are created with a purpose and how to live purposefully, even in trying times.
On Monday, we learnt to bear fruits in the kingdom. We have the fruit of the Spirit. But we ought to learn to take intentional steps to live out the influence of the Spirit on our lives. We have the seed of righteousness in us and have been saved unto good works. Therefore, we can do and be better.
Tuesday’s article answered the question of ‘What is purpose?’ Purpose is not happiness or our careers because when we see Jesus, those won’t matter. By looking at the universe, we realise that God does not create without purpose, and to know our purpose, we ought to look to our creator (Revelations 4: 11).
Purpose, therefore, is that one thing for which you were created and at which you must succeed, otherwise nothing else which you succeed at will count.
Wednesday’s article reminded us that we are created with a purpose. There are various schools of thought concerning purpose. However, as believers, we subscribe to only one – The creator of a thing determines the purpose of the creation.
Therefore, the purpose of a creation precedes the creation itself. Just like Jeremiah, God, our creator, knew and purposed us (Jeremiah 1: 5). Our purpose is to know our Creator and to make Him known (2 Corinthians 5: 15).
On Thursday, we discussed purpose and pain. Some seek purpose hoping to find happiness. But see that many early-day apostles and even Jesus were persecuted while fulfilling their purpose and it won’t be different for us (John 15: 20). However, regardless of the persecution we face for Christ’s sake, we have overcome the world (John 16: 33). Hallelujah!
On Friday, we discussed prayer and purpose. Through the life of Jesus, we see that prayer is important because it clarifies and prepares us for assignments, supplies us with the strength to do God’s will, and aligns our desires (Mark 1: 35, Luke 22: 42-43, Acts 1: 14). Prayer is soul maintenance and is vital for fulfilling purpose in this fallen world.
The fulfilment of purpose is the most difficult; yet rewarding task. We must pursue God every day and in every season. However, we can’t do this alone. By praying constantly, God, through His Spirit, will guide us.
Have a great weekend!
Bible Reading Plan: Psalm 119